10 Music Projects to Keep an Eye On in 2026
Read Time:8 Minute, 36 Second
If there’s one thing 2026 already has going for it, it’s momentum. Between artists coming off career-defining moments, long-awaited albums finally materializing, and new faces positioning themselves for breakout runs, this year feels stacked before it’s even really begun.
Some of these projects are guaranteed to dominate timelines the moment they drop. Others are more under-the-radar. But don’t get it twisted — they’re just as important to the culture. Whether it’s superstars responding to pressure, veterans sharpening their legacy, or emerging acts ready to make their first real statement, these are the music projects I’m locked in on heading into 2026.
No rankings. No forced hype. Just projects that feel inevitable and worth paying attention to when they finally drop:
Drake – ‘Iceman’ (TBA)
I’ll keep it quick. Everyone is anticipating Drake’s Iceman, including the haters. He spent a good chunk of 2025 dropping tracks, teasers, and livestream snippets, building momentum for what’s shaping up to be his most scrutinized album yet following the Kendrick Lamar beef.
But if you know Drake, you know he thrives when the competition is loud and the pressure is high. Historically, that’s when he sharpens his pen, tightens his delivery, and reminds everyone why he’s been at the top for over a decade. Iceman has all the makings of a statement piece. Whether it’s a reinvention, a rebuttal, or a return to form.
Nicki Minaj – TBA (March 27, 2026)
I didn’t think we’d be getting a new Nicki Minaj album so soon. But come March, I’ll be glued to my phone, checking every post on X and every piece of promotion leading up to it. The Queen is back to remind everyone she’s one of one, and I have a feeling she’s coming like she’s got something to prove — even though she doesn’t need to.
But that’s the thing about being the greatest. You can constantly one-up yourself. Nicki is the bar. There’s speculation that this one could be the big one, as she hinted at a self-titled album. If Pink Friday 2 was the bait, I hate to imagine what this one is going to do to her haters. Whether it drops in March or later, a Nicki Minaj album will always be the most anticipated for me.
J. Cole – The Fall Off (February 6)
J. Cole is finally back with The Fall Off, arriving February 6. Anytime J. Cole drops, it’s mandatory listening. He’s one of my favorite rappers, and the anticipation here is real. Not just because of the wait, but because Cole has a knack for delivering projects that hit culturally, emotionally, and technically.
While details about the album are still limited, what we do know is Cole’s last work had him balancing introspection, storytelling, and bars. If this project follows that trajectory, it will only solidify why he’s consistently at the top of the rap conversation. With Cole, you know it’s not just an album. It’s an event, a moment, and one of 2026’s must-hear releases.
3Quency – Debut Project (TBD)
Fresh off winning the first season of Netflix’s hit series Building the Band, 3Quency wasted no time capitalizing on their momentum. They dropped multiple tracks, rolled out visuals, and even hit the road with fellow contestants Soulidified. Now, after months of teasing new music and building their fanbase, the trio is gearing up to release their first-ever project.
Their debut is highly anticipated, and with Netflix likely to push it heavily, it could be one of 2026’s biggest breakout drops. What makes groups formed on the show so special is that fans get to witness the entire origin story. You see when they met, how they connected, and how their chemistry evolved week after week. With 3Quency, you could literally see the moment the magic clicked.
They have real potential, and 2026 could be the year they break into conversations with the girl groups making noise today. The girl-band lane is back in a major way. It’s competitive and saturated, but 3Quency has all the tools to compete. Their story is just beginning, and their debut project could be the one that launches them into the spotlight.
JayRoddy – ‘We’re Better Off Broken’ (January 23, 2026)
JayRoddy is finally dropping his next album in January, kicking 2026 off with a bang. We’re Better Off Broken arrives Friday, January 23rd, marking his first full project since 2020’s Mixed Up. If you revisit that album today, it’s obvious just how insane his growth has been over the last six years.
JayRoddy always does R&B justice, but personally, I love when he’s spitting. He has sharp bars, creative flows, and a distinct pen game that makes him stand out from the pack. Selfishly, I’m hoping we’re getting a proper blend of both on this tape. Based on his most recent releases, it’s clear we’ll be getting a deeply personal project that’s necessary for the next chapter of his growth.
What’s crazy is that Roddy is still independent, doing most of it on his own, from the writing to the visuals. He’s a creative genius, and 2026 feels like the year he breaks through in a major way. So if you’re looking for something to vibe to, something new, something with actual substance, give JayRoddy and his new album a listen.
Doechii – TBA
Doechii comes off the heels of a career-defining mixtape and a Grammy win. The anticipation around her next project is huge. She’s already hinted at addressing hot topics in her latest collab with SZA, Girl, Get Up, signaling that her next album could push boundaries both musically and culturally.
Her mixtape proved she’s versatile, sharp, and unafraid to take risks. Now, with major accolades under her belt, the stakes are higher. Fans are eager to see her creative direction evolve and what kind of statements she’s ready to make in 2026. With her talent, her growing platform, and the buzz she’s already generating, this is one of the most anticipated hip-hop debut albums in quite some time.
Sunshine Benzi – TBD
Sunshine Benzi has been making serious noise after her track TRUMP THE BILL went viral. Recently, she’s been teasing fire snippets, while signing burned CDs in a way that feels like a nostalgic nod to hip-hop’s roots. It’s clear she’s been studying the game and the legends who paved the way.
She is still fairly new in the public eye, which makes it refreshing to watch an artist rise from the very beginning. You don’t get to see that often in today’s rap landscape. Nonetheless, people are eager to see what a full project from her will look like. Based on the music she already has on streaming platforms, she is versatile. If anything, we’ve only seen a glimpse of what she’s truly capable of.
I know I am not the only one anticipating what she does next. All eyes are on Sunshine Benzi in 2026.
Cody Ray – TBD (Manifesting in 2026)
Cody Ray will forever be remembered as the one that got away on Season 2 of Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow. He was wrongfully eliminated. But he still managed to stand out as one of the best artists not only of the season but of the entire U.S. franchise. He closed out 2024 with The Oddessy, one of my favorite projects of the year. He stayed consistent through 2025, but 2026 feels like the year he finally puts a full stamp on things.
Cody has a certain swagger about him, and his versatility is what makes him dangerous. He can deliver a radio-ready hit, drop a banger, and still hit you with clever, witty bars that show off his pen. While he has not announced anything officially, I am fully manifesting a new project or album in 2026 to solidify his place in the mainstream rap game.
No date, no title, no details. Just potential. And Cody Ray has plenty of it.
JYT – TBD
Boy bands are so back, and based on what we’ve seen so far, JYT could be at the forefront of the new wave. It’s crazy to say that when they’ve only dropped two songs, but the potential is obvious. Despite several new groups emerging from Netflix shows and big platforms, there’s something different about JYT.
They’ve released What U Want, and recently dropped Say Less. Despite their limited catalog, the way they’ve positioned themselves as a newly formed band, without prior exposure or the backing of a major show, is impressive. Now backed by a major label and real resources, their raw talent and undeniable chemistry are set to shine.
Whether it’s the catchy debut track, or the fact that they can actually dance and perform, JYT is going to be a problem in 2026. Since they’re brand new, I don’t expect a full album, but I’m hoping for a small project or EP. These guys have it all, so don’t be surprised when they become the next big thing.
Joey Els – ‘Most Valuable Player’ (TBA)
The only way to make this real is to put it out into the universe, so consider this my official announcement. My first project in nearly 10 years had to be on this list to hold myself accountable. After nearly four years of collecting dust, I’m finally ready to put it out into the world.
I’m currently refreshing the track list, lining up the right features, and planning a collaboration with The Scrap. This album draws inspiration from the fight game. The highs. The lows. So I figured it was the perfect time to combine two of my passions into one as we try new things on the site this year.
So, you heard it here first! The Most Valuable Player EP is coming in 2026.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
About Post Author
